Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election
Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election
The influx of migrants to Chicago and Illinois presents a potential voting bloc ahead of the 2024 election. Some politicians have tried to get them the vote. Others have tried to prevent it.
By Chris Coffey
Schools need to be open about curriculum to fight Illinois student declines
Schools need to be open about curriculum to fight Illinois student declines
Illinois students’ reading and math proficiency have yet to rebound from pandemic losses. Illinois parents have a right to know what their children are being taught so they can be part of the solution.
By Mailee Smith
Literacy legislation aims to fix Illinois’ low reading proficiency
Literacy legislation aims to fix Illinois’ low reading proficiency
Lawmakers in 2023 required the Illinois State Board of Education to create a public school literacy plan using evidence-based reading instructional practices. A follow-up bill awaiting the governor’s signature would require school vendors to follow that plan.
By Hannah Schmid
Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters
Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters
Fourth of July? No. We should always call it Independence Day to remember what we celebrate and what it means.
By John Tillman
Vallas: Chicago has too few police, pays too much in police overtime
Vallas: Chicago has too few police, pays too much in police overtime
Chicago's violent crime is up. A record $300 million was spent on police overtime last year. It's simple: too few cops leads to too much crime and requires a very wasteful, inefficient fix. Chicago needs more officers on patrol.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate
Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate
Despite some growth, high unemployment remains an issue in Illinois. All 15 metropolitan areas showed higher rates of unemployment than the national average.
By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko
$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders
$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders
While Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been in office during upgrades in the state’s credit rating and reductions in some state debts, analysis shows improvements were more luck than fiscal design.
By Bryce Hill, Ravi Mishra
New John Deere layoffs follow Illinois losing 1,124 jobs in May
New John Deere layoffs follow Illinois losing 1,124 jobs in May
Declining demand has John Deere planning 600 layoffs, including 280 in Illinois, by the end of August. Illinois already had companies planning to cut 1,124 jobs in May, hitting janitorial services providers, collection agencies and packaging industries.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Illinois video gaming brings in $428M in 2024, so far
Illinois video gaming brings in $428M in 2024, so far
Video gaming already generated $428 million in tax revenue so far in 2024. Part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new Illinois state budget relies on more revenue from video gaming machines. The tax hike started July 1.
By Kurtis Karg
Illinois 1 of 3 states banning fireworks freedom
Illinois 1 of 3 states banning fireworks freedom
State lawmakers are no closer to trusting Illinoisans with fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. Forty-seven other states give their residents that freedom.
By Kurtis Karg